Push mower



Sept. 17, 1946.

A. 'r. PETERSON PUSH MOWER I 7 Filed May 15, '1942 2 Sheets-Sheet lSept. 17, PETERSON I 2,407,767

PUSH MOWER I Filed May 15, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 17, 1946UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUSH MOWER Alfred T. Peterson, Minneapolis,Minn.

Application May 15, 1942, Serial No. 443,035

3 Claims. 1

My invention relates to an improvement in mowers, wherein it is desiredto provide a mowing apparatus capable of cutting close to anobstruction.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a mowing apparatuswhich includes a pair of relatively reciproc'able cutter elements whichare mounted forwardly from the supporting apparatus so that grass orgrain may be mowed extremely close to an obstruction. By providing thecutter elements on the forward end of the mower and by providing asuitable means by which the mower may be pushed, it is obvious that thecutter blades may be moved forwardly into close proximity with a wall orother obstruction. This construction saves considerable work in trimminggrass or the like about such obstructions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide reciprocable cutterblade means supported by suitable wheels or rollers mounted on a frameextending rearwardly from the cutter blades. The wheels supporting theframe engage the ground so that as the mower moves over the ground thecutter blades are reciprocated through a suitable connecting mechanism.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the cutterblades extend laterally beyond the support shoes so that the mower maybe operated directly adjacent a wall. or other obstruction. As the bladeprojects laterally beyond the sides of the supporting shoes, theseblades may extend directly adjacent the wall or other projection,allowing the mowing operation to continue more closely adjacent theprojection than has previously been possible.

A feature of the present invention. lies in the. transmission of thepower from the supporting wheels of the device to" the reciprocatingblades through a clutch mechanism whichpermits disengagement of thedriving power from the blades when it is so desired. Thus the mower maybe pushed over the surface of the ground without reciprocating theblades when it is so desired.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a simpleand light weight mower which includes reciprocable blades which may, ifdesired, be provided in two relatively pivotal pairs. One pair of bladesmay reciprocate on one side of the center of the machine, while a secondpair of blades may reciprocate on the opposite side of the machine.These sets of blades extend into engagement so that no strip of grass orgrain is left uncut between the two pairs of blades. At the same time,however, one set of 2 blades may pivot somewhat on a substantiallyhorizontal axis with respect to the other pair of blades, so that themower will follow closely the contour of the surface of the ground.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of ameans for swinging the cutter blades out of cutting position. The Gutterblades are pivotally secured to the supporting frame and the bladeoperating means is connected through a universal joint. As a result,-the entire blade may be swung from a substantially horizontal cuttin-position to a generally vertical in-' operative position when thecutting operation of the blades is not desired.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the fact that theblades may be tilted upwardly at an". angle to the horizontal when it isdesired to cut grass or grain at a point somewhat spaced from thesurface of the ground. B'y inclining the blades upwardly their cuttingedges are raised somewhat from the surface of the ground permitting thecutting operation at a point substantially above the ground surface.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be moreclearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my sp'ec iiication:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a moving machine showing thearrangement of the parts thereof.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the mowing device illustrated inFigure 1, showing in dotted outline the cutter blades in elevatedposition.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the clutch device which may be used fordisconnecting the blade reciprocating mechanism from the drive wheels.

Figure 4 is a sectional view transversely through the clutch mechanismshown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical section through the center shoe containingtheblade reciprocating, mech-' anism.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of :a modified form of construction of mymower.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on a vertical plane through one of theblade supporting. shoes.

Figure 8 is a vertical section on a transverse plane through the centershoe of the mowing device shown in Figure 6, showing the bladereciprocatin mechanism.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the blade ends.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the corresponding end of thecooperating blade.

3 The mowing machine A comprises a frame II), which in the formillustrated includes a pair of side members H and I2, a pair of opposedtransversely extending rear elements [3 and I4, a pair of forwardlyextending members I5 and [6 connected at the inner ends of the membersl3 and I4 and extending parallel to the side members l l and i2, and atransversely extending connect- 22 which extend adjacent to the membersI5 and I 8 of the frame I and are bolted thereto. A transverse brace 23extends between the anchoringends 22 of the handle [9. This brace 23 ispreferably substantially in alignment with the rear portions I3 and M ofthe frame l0 and is bolted to the frame by means of bolts 24, or othersuitable means.

1 A shaft 25 extends transversely through the frame I B, being journaledin the side members I l and I2, and in the frame members l and i6.Wheels or roller 26 are mounted upon the shaft and either or both ofthese Wheels may be fixed tothe shaft 25 to cause rotation of the shaftas the mower A is moved along the ground. The wheels 25 are designed toengage the surface of the ground and to be rotated by contact therewith.

Also mounted upon the shaft 25 between the frame portions l5 and I5, Iprovide a collar 2i which is keyed or otherwise affixed to the shaft 25.A series of clutch teeth 29 are provided on the collar 2?, which teethcooperate with suitable teeth 39 on a collar 3!. The collar 3! forms ahub for the disc or plate 32 which supports the gear teeth 33. The discor plate 32 is supported within the cylindrical shell 34 of a clutchhousing which is connected by the disc 35 to the hub 36. A springv3l isinterposed between the hub 33 and the plate or disc 32 so as to urge thedisc and collar 3| .into engagement with the collar 21. In other words,the teeth 29 and 33 on the collars 21 and 3| respectively are normallyheld in engagement by the spring 31. A groove 33 in the collar 3|embraces the shift rollers mounted upon the yok 4!, by means of whichthe position of the collar 3| may be changed. A handle 42 is provided onthe yoke 4| to permit the pivoting of the yoke 4| about its verticalpivot 43. Obviously when the handle 42 is operated to pivot the yoke 4I, the teeth 29 and 39 on their respective collars may be disengaged.

- A pinion or beveled gear 44 is mounted on a shaft 45 which extendsforwardly or substantially parallel to the side members H and I2 of theframe. This pinion 44 normally engages the gear teeth 33, but this gearis disengaged from the teeth 33 by operation of the yoke handle 42. Thusthe driving action of one or both of the wheels 26, which istransmittedthrough the shaft 25 to the collar 21, may, or ma not, rotate the shaft45, depending upon the position of the collar 3! and the shifting yoke42 which operates the clutch.

' The shaft 45 extends through the transverse element I! of the frameand is connected through a universal. joint46 to a crank shaft 41. The

crank shaft 41 extends through the rear end of a center sli'oe 49 and isprovided with a crank 59 which rotates within the hollow shoe. Aconnecting rod 5| is mounted at one end upon the crank 53 and ispivotally attached at 52 to a bracket 53 mounted upon a reciprocablecutter blade 54. A stationary blade 55 operate in conjunction with themovable blade 54. The blades 54 and 55 bear spaced teeth such as 55,which act to cut grass or grain passing between the same.

The blades 54 and 55 extend laterally beyond the side members H and I2of the frame H) extending through notches 51 in the supporting shoes 59.The shoes 59 are notched at 69 to admit aItransversely extending element6| which is pivoted at 62 between the opposed ends of the bifurcatedforward ends 63 of the frame members II and I2. Pivots 64 extend throughthe shoes 59 and through the transverse element 6| in a manner toprovide a universal joint connecting the shoes to the forward ends ofthe frame elements II and I2.

A shaft 65 extends through the frame l0 parallel to the shaft 25. Anoperating lever 66 is provided with a forked end 6! which straddles theside element 12 of the frame. An arcuated segment 69 is provided on theframe side l2 and notches E9 in the segment 69 may be engaged by a dogll mounted on the end of a rod 72. The rod 12 is journaled in an ear (3on the lever 66 and is operated by a hand lever 14 pivoted to the lever66 at the point 15. By pivoting the hand lever 14 toward the handle thespring 16 may be compressed to withdraw the dog ll forming a selectednotch 10 in the segment 69.

A link ll pivotally connects the lever 55 to one of the shoes 59. An.arm 19 is mounted on the opposite end of the shaft 65, this arm 19having a forked end 89 which traddles the side member H of the frameIf]. A link 8! pivotally connects the arm 19 with the other of the shoes59.

In operation, the handle lever 74 is operated to retract the dog H andthe lever 66 may be pivoted, thus acting to pivot the shaft 65. Thelever 66 and the arm 19 are thus pivoted in unison with the links H and8|, acting to pivot the shoes 59 upwardly, as indicated in dottedoutline in Figure 2 of the drawings. By elevating the cutter blades 54and 55 to a slight extent, the grass or grain may be cut off at aconsiderable distance .from the surface of the ground.

In Figures 6 through 8 of the drawings, I disclose a modified form ofconstruction of mower which is indicated in general by the letter B. Themower B includes a transversely extending shaft 82 having a pair ofwheels or rollers 83 mounted thereupon. Either one or both of the wheelsor rollers 83 are mounted to rotate with the shaft 82, so as to providea drive mechanism for the cutter blades. A loop-shaped frame 84 issupported upon the shaft 82 and a collar 85 is mounted on the shaft 82within the frame 84. The collar 85 is mounted to rotate with the shaft82 and is provided with teeth 86 which are designed to engage withcooperable teeth 81 on the collar 89. The collar 89 forms the hub, and adisc 99 which is similar to the disc 32' illustrated in Figure 4. Gearteeth 9| are provided on the disc 99, which teeth are engageable withthe teeth of a pinion 92. The pinion 92 is mounted upon a shaft 93 whichprojects forwardly from the frame 84, as will be later described.

A groove 94 in the collar 89 embraces pins or rollers supported by ayoke 95 which is pivotally mounted upon acooperating member 95 of theframe 34. A handle Q'I on the yoke 93 permits the pivoting of the yokeso as to slide th collar 83 and disc to disengage the teeth 33 and 3?and also to disengage the gear teeth M from the pinion 92, The disc 03preferably acts as a closure for the cylindrical shell 99 of the clutchhousing @3 3 which is supported at its opposite end upon the shaft 82similar to the manner in which the housing 34 is supported upon theshaft 25. A spring identical to the spring 3'! shown in Figure 4normally urges the teeth and 3? into engagement.

Extending forwardly from the shaft 32' I provide a pair of ears IOIwhich are equipped with bifurcated ends I 02. A pair of shoes I03 areuniversally mounted within the bifurcated ends I02 and are designed toslide along the surface of the ground. These shoes I03 act to supportthe cutter blades I04, I05, I06, and H17, as will be noted in thedrawings.

A central shoe I03 is provided with a hollow interior H which contains acrank shaft III provided with a crank H2. The crank shaft II I isconnected to the forwardly extending shaft 93 through the universaljoint H3. Connecting rods H4 and H5 are mounted upon the crank H2 andthe ends of these connecting rods are pivotally attached at H6 and IIIto the movable blades I04 and 06. The blades I04 and I00 arereciprocable with respect to the blades I05 and I01. The adjacent endsof the blades I05 and I01 are h ngedly connected at H3 to the lowersurface of the body I00. The blades I 03 and I01 are connected to theshoes I33 in any suitable manner, such as is disclosed in Figure '7 ofthe drawings. In this figure, I disclose an upstanding fiange I20extending along the rear edge of the blade I05 and a flange I2I on thisupstanding flange I20 which is parallel and in spaced relation to theblade I05. Aligned openings I22 are provided in the blade I05 and in theflange I2I. A bolt I23 extends through the aligned openings I22 and intothe shoe I03 to hold the blade I05 in place.

A slot I24 in the blade I04 permits the insertion of the bolt I23therethrough. permitting a longitudinal sliding of the blade I04 whileholding the blades in proper relationship. Obviously the blade I0! isformed similarly to the blade I05 and the blade I00 is attached theretoin any convenient manner.

A handle I25 is secured by fixed pivots I20 to the frame 84. This handlemay be of any suitable type. Caster rollers I2'I are mounted beneath theframe 84 to support the frame and to allow the same to flex with respectto the ground.

An arcuated segment I29 is provided upon the frame 84 extending in avertical longitudinally extending plane. A lever I30 is provided with abifurcated end I3! which is pivoted at I32 to this segment I29. A dogI33 is mounted upon a slidable rod I34 which is reciprocated by a handlever I35 pivoted to the lever I30. A spring, similar to the spring I5illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, urges the dog I33 intoengagement with notches in the segment I29.

A link I36 is loosely pivotally connected at one end to the shoe I09 andat its opposite end to the lever I30. Branch links I31 connect the linkI36 to the shoes I03. Thus by operating the lever I30 the shoes I03. maybe tilted upwardly either to space the cutter blades away from thesurface of the ground or to place the cutter bar in an inoperativeposition.

It will be noted that the blades I04, I05, I06, and I0! projectlaterally beyond the shoes I03 so that the ends of the blade may extendclosely adjacent a wall or other obstruction. Thus, it will be seen thatthe mower will out directly adjacent an obstruction which is importantin a device of this type. It will be noted that the mower B is providedwith blades which conform to the contour of the ground and therefore theblades can be of a substantial length.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my mowing device and while I haveendeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to haveit understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of thefollowing claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A mower comprising a frame, a pair of arms extending forwardly fromsaid frame, a pair of forwardly extending shoes pivotally mounted tosaid frame by universal pivots, an intermediate shoe positioned betweensaid first named shoes, fixed cutter blades pivoted to said intermediateshoe along a longitudinal axis and connected to said first named shoes,relatively reciprocable cutter blades mounted adjacent said fixed cutterblades, means on said intermediate shoe for actuating said reciprocablecutter blades, a shaft extending from said actuating means, and auniversal pivot in said shaft in substantial alignment with said firstnamed universal pivots, said shoes being simultaneously pivotal about atransverse horizontal axis when said universal pivots are aligned.

2. A mower comprising a frame, a pair of shoes pivotally connected tosaid frame by universal pivots, an intermediate shoe between the shoesof said pair, fixed cutter blades pivotally secured along a longitudinalaxis to said intermediate shoe and secured to the shoes of said pair,reciprocable cutter blades mounted adjacent said fixed cutter blades,means on said intermediate shoe for actuating said reciprocable cutterblades, drive shaft means for said actuating means, means driving saidshaft, and a universal pivot in said shaft in substantial alignment withthe universal first named attachment of said shoes, said shoes beingsimultaneously pivotal about a transverse horizontal axis when saiduniversal pivots are aligned.

3. A mower comprising a frame, a pair of arms extending forwardly fromsaid frame, a pair of forwardly extending shoes pivotally mounted tosaid frame by universal pivots, an intermediate shoe positioned betweensaid first named shoes, fixed cutter blades pivoted to said intermediateshoe along a longitudinal axis and connected to said first named shoes,relatively reciprocable cutter blade mounted adjacent said fixed cutterblades, means on said intermediate shoe for actuating said reciprocablecutter blades, a shaft extending from said actuating means, a universalpivot in said shaft in substantial alignment with said first nameduniversal pivots, and lever means connected to said shoes for pivotingthe same in unison, said shoes being simultaneously pivotal. about atransverse horizontal axis when said universal pivots are aligned.

ALFRED T. PETERSON.

